Mandibular Device

Just an update for anyone that is interested. I have been on cpap for around 4 years. My sleep study showed ahi of 11 at the time. I was exhausted all the time. Waking up loads at night and generally feeling unwell. I have used cpap almost every night since I was diagnosed and it worked for most of my symptoms. Lately someone recommended I try a mandibular device. I went to a specialist who said it might work for me so I tried it. My symptoms are now as good using it as with cpap. I just had another sleep study done wearing the device and my ahi is now 3. I remember researching these device when I was diagnosed and came to the conclusion they would not work for me. I am glad to say I was wrong as it is a lot easier to use a mandidual device than it is to use cpap. It does take a bit of getting used to and like cpap you have to adjust the setting to get it right but overall I’m happy with it.

Over time they can be hard on the teeth and jaw. And a sleep study is one night. A night after a heavy meal with a cold or allergies affecting the sinuses might be covered by CPAP or APAP but not so much by oral devices. Also, many of the long-term effects of OSA have no immediate symptoms until damage is done.

I used one for a while in conjunction with my PAP therapy until my jaw couldn't handle it anymore.

Hey, just me.

lazarus wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 13, 2022 8:53 am

Hey, just me.

Your signature closing, but it is not just you. Gramps and I both had expensive MADs custom-made. They weren't effective, and they are much harder to tolerate as compared to CPAP. (Our AHIs are much higher than the OPs.)

I used one of these devices for about 2 years. The doctor I had would not refer me for a sleep study, he refused to believe I could have sleep apnea even though I was waking up all night gasping for breath because "I was not overweight." I was at my wits end so I tried the dental device. It did work for me and I was thankful to have it. Over time, though, it changed my bite and I developed jaw pain. (I'm sorry to say that those issues have been ongoing.) Thankfully, I got a new doctor who had no problem referring me for a sleep study and I've been using apap ever since, about 13 years now. So, just to say, the device can work but be aware of any changes to your teeth and jaws before they become permanent.